Best Beach within say an hour of Orlando?

[vellamint]

Inspired by the Daytona thread...

I have plans on taking the kids to a Florida Beach (cant believe how many times we have taken them to Disney and not done this!).

Nicest beach....best ocean color? Family friendly?

Suggestions please......

Thanks!

 

[AJKMOM]

IMO, the nicest beaches in Florida are on the Gulf Coast. That is about 2 1/2 hours from Orlando. The sand is white, the water is calm, and they are pretty. Clearwater Beach and the surrounding beaches are nicer than the Atlantic Ocean. My opinion, of course.

The closest beach is Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic side. It's about an hour drive. The sand isn't as nice, the water ir rougher and not as clear.

 

[JerJan]

Try NEW SMYRNA BEACH, family friendly, clean and about a 50 - 55 minute drive. However, as a NATIVE FLORIDIAN I too would vote for the gulf coast around CLEARWATER, BEAUTIFUL beaches and the EAST COAST just can't compare!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Another vote for Clearwater and St.Petes - sorry it's a 2 hour drive but the quality of beach is worth the extra travelling..Daytona and Cocoa are nearer, but not as nice.

 

[horseshowmom]

Try NEW SMYRNA BEACH, family friendly, clean and about a 50 - 55 minute drive. However, as a NATIVE FLORIDIAN I too would vote for the gulf coast around CLEARWATER, BEAUTIFUL beaches and the EAST COAST just can't compare!

I agree. The gulf coast is much better, but if you can't spare the time, New Smyrna Beach is a good alternative.

 

[lovevacations]

Another HUGE vote gulf beaches! Beautiful!

 

[vellamint]

Sheesh....what a choice.....naturally I would prefer the gulf beaches since everyone seems to be in agreement.....is it really 2 1/2 hours!!??

Comparing to NY beaches where the water is shall we say "not clear" and kind of gray looking.....is the water on the gulf coast a pretty color? Can you see your feet when you stand in it?

Thanks

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Sheesh....what a choice.....naturally I would prefer the gulf beaches since everyone seems to be in agreement.....is it really 2 1/2 hours!!??

Comparing to NY beaches where the water is shall we say "not clear" and kind of gray looking.....is the water on the gulf coast a pretty color? Can you see your feet when you stand in it?

Thanks

The water at Clearwater is a lovely colour yes, I would say you could do it in 2 hours if there are no roadworks or delays.

 

[airtime]

Clearwater and St. Pete are hands down the best. Yes, they're a little farther than the Atlantic, but they're worth the extra drive.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

is the water on the gulf coast a pretty color? Can you see your feet when you stand in it?

Thanks

I've dove and fished when the water is clear to 70 feet down. our inshore water has a very soft green tint to it. on a normal day, you can stay inside the first sandbar in 10 feet of water and see the thousands of sand dollars.

 

[magicmouse2]

Clearwater is more of a green color than blue. The sand is lovely and soft and white. When I posed the same question about beaches many replies suggested Sarasota and Siesta key beach. I have never tried Sarasota yet but it is on my to do list.